The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ben Igweh, has refuted the authenticity of a viral video purportedly showing robbers attacking motorists at traffic lights in Abuja.
In a statement released by Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, the Commissioner stated, “Forensic analysis conducted by the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre has uncovered significant findings regarding a circulating video allegedly depicting security incidents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
The police clarified, “Contrary to initial assumptions, the investigation confirms that the depicted incident actually took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was posted by a South African individual on X (formerly Twitter) on April 22nd, 2024. The video falsely suggests the necessity of carrying handguns for travel in Ethiopia.”
“It is deeply troubling that this misleading video has been erroneously associated with instilling fear and disseminating misinformation among FCT residents,” the police added.
Meanwhile, CP Igweh has initiated a thorough investigation to ascertain the original source of this misinformation and understand the motives behind its propagation. “The command reiterates its dedication to ensuring the safety and security of all FCT residents and will pursue all necessary legal measures to address this matter. We urge the public to remain vigilant and discerning when consuming information, particularly in the digital realm,” the statement concluded.